Government's Nuclear Envoy: "North Korea Must Comply with NPT and UNSC Resolutions and Return to Dialogue"

Attendance at the High-Level Session of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva

Jung Yeondu, Director of the Foreign Affairs Strategy and Intelligence Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the 23rd (local time) urged North Korea to "comply with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and United Nations Security Council resolutions, and return to dialogue."

Jung Yeondu, Director of the Foreign Affairs Strategy and Intelligence Bureau, attended the high-level session of the Geneva Conference on Disarmament on the 23rd (local time). Provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 24th, Director Jung delivered a keynote speech at the high-level session of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Switzerland, stating, "Our government has consistently maintained the goal of the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of permanent peace."

He went on to say, "We express deep concern over the illicit military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, which seriously undermines international peace and security," stressing that "such cooperation must be halted immediately." This is seen as criticism of North Korea for deepening its alignment with Russia in earnest, using its involvement in the war in Ukraine as an opportunity.

Director Jung further emphasized, "We will continue close coordination with the international community, including the United States, so that a phased denuclearization plan for suspension, reduction, and dismantlement can be implemented through dialogue with North Korea."

Director Jung voiced concern over the lack of arms control among nuclear-weapon states and the growing nuclear threats. He said, "At a time when the international security environment is deteriorating and instability has become routine, the disarmament and non-proliferation regime is facing serious challenges," and called on "nuclear-weapon states to engage in dialogue to enhance transparency and build mutual trust."

Director Jung stressed, "The international community must reaffirm its commitment to strengthening the three pillars of the NPT regime (disarmament, non-proliferation, and peaceful use), and we will also take part in these efforts."

Meanwhile, Director Jung will visit Washington, D.C., in the United States for a four-day schedule starting on the 24th. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during his visit he is scheduled to meet with key figures from the U.S. Department of State, including Allison Hooker, Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Thomas DiNanno, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, and Michael DeSomobre, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, as well as leading figures from academia.